One Mara Carbon Project

In Kenya, connecting to Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, you will find the Maasai Mara National Reserve, famously attracting thousands of tourists every year who come to admire nature, wildlife and the Maasai culture. On the northern border of the National Reserve, there are about 20 Wildlife Conservancies, home to the Maasai who also own this land. These conservancies are members of the Maasai Mara Wildlife Conservancies Association (MMWCA). Financially and organisationally supported by Ahueni, MMWCA is developing the “One Mara Carbon Project” to create an additional revenue source for the Maasai communities who today largely depend on income from tourism. The project will follow a framework of land-use and biodiversity improvements under the UN.

What is a Carbon Project in the Mara Ecosystem?

To sink more Carbon into the soil, healthy and thriving grasslands and forests are needed. Through photosynthesis and the natural cycle of regeneration and growth, green plants continuously remove carbon from the air. In contrast, when disturbed by deforestation or agricultural tilling of the soil, carbon is released into the air. Natural grazing patterns by wildlife are usually not detrimental to carbon sinks – on the contrary, this natural cycle promote healthy soil. However, livestock who are allowed to graze the existing grass to depletion will quickly deteriorate an area. Periods of drought will add to this. The challenge in the Maasai Mara ecosystem is to protect what is left of old forests, and to find solutions where livestock can graze in ways allowing grass to rest and regain its strength. Cattle is the cornerstone of the Maasai culture and management practices must be developed with and by the Maasai to promote a win-win situation; Healthier grass means healthier cattle. And fortunately, it is a normal way of life for brave young Maasai to safely herd and protect their cattle in the wildlife areas!

Maasai Mara

The Maasai Mara National Reserve lies South-East of Nairobi, East of Lake Victoria, and bordering the North of Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. Maasai Mara and Serengeti is a shared ecosystem and the Savanna stretches without paying attention to the national borders. Animals migrate naturally within the larger ecosystem. The Maasai Mara Wildlife Conservancies lie again on the northern side of the National Reserve. The conservancy area, the National Reserve and Serengeti are all attractive areas for wildlife tourism.